Transportation of perishable foods



'July' 9, 193s.

o. c. BowEs 2,007,154

TRANSPORTATION oF PERISHABLE Poops- Fled'Jan. 31, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mmm July's, 1935;

O. C. BOWES TRANSPORTATION 0F PERISHABLE Foovs 2 sheets-'sheet 2 Filed Jan. 3l, 1928 eamaa .anni e, ieee l S TAT if. S

'armar TRANSPORTATION F PERHSHABLE y FUUDS 14 Claims.

This invention relates to the handling and transportation of perishable foods, and is especially applicable to the distribution of fresh milk, but is also adaptable for use in the handling of other commodities.

The invention may be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is atop plan view of the container embodying my invention, part of the lid of the container being broken away to show the interior;

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section in the plane of line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail View showing the construction of the walls and lid of the container;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the interior of the cover, the view being taken in the plane of line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of a spring catch used on the lid of the container; and

Figure 6 is a'vertical section through a container of a different construction f'or use at the house of the customer. y

According to my invention, the milk is cooled at the producing dairy to a temperature well below 50 F.' but above the freezing temperature, 32 F. It is preferably cooled to a slightly greater extent than the milk is cooled according to the present practice. From theA cooler, the milk is run directly into the bottles and the cold milk is sealed in the usual way. As the milk is bottled, it is placed in. shipping containers of special construction, having thermally insulated walls and adapted to hold several bottles and which, in Warm weather, have been previously cooled. These thermally insulated containers are provided with lids which are substantially air tight and which are also of a thermally insulated construction. After a predetermined number of bottles have been placed in the container and while the 4milk is still very cold, the covers of lthe containers are closed.

After the containers have been closed, they may be loaded onto a -car or truck and shipped to the city dairy. With a thermally insulated case of proper construction, the temperature of the milk will increase very slightly during the average period of transportation. In fact, if the milk has been properly cooled when placed in the bottles, it can be maintained below 50 F. for forty-eight hours.. 'Ihe size of the shipping case is such that it can be conveniently handled and used on the ordinary milk wagons.

Afterthe cases have been received at the city dairy, they are loaded either directly onto the vnated and the cost is distributing wagons Without being opened, or placed in a cooler until such time as they are to be placed on the wagon. When the driver of the wagon reaches his route, the cases are opened one at a time, and the bottles are distributed to the customers. The milk, at the time that it is delivered to the customer is still cold, notwithstanding the fact that several hours (and perhaps days), have elapsed since the bottles were put in the container.

According to the present invention, it is preferred to provide the users of the certied milk with specially constructed z thermally insulated containers at the outside of the house into which the milk can be put by the driver. yWith the house boxes of a proper construction, the tempterattuzie of the milk can be s an ia y constant tem erature taken into the house. p s wml the milk is According lto this method, the on! r tion which the milk receives is that t, wllligtais coolers at the r dairy unless the dairy be one not equipgguv'liltll cooling facilities, in which case ice may be placed around the bottles. After it has once been cooled further icing is not required, although in extreme: ly warm weather some ice may be placed in the case. By reason of the fact that the milk does not have to be iced in the cases at the producing dairy, at least to any appreciable extent,a very considerable amount of unpleasant labor is elimigreatly reduced. The cases do not have to be iced on the train, and even if there is a delay or the Weather is extremely Warm, attention does not have to be given to the cases. By reason of the fact that the ice is eliminated, the shipping costs can be reduced and the railroads will accept small shipments in baggage and express cars because damage to other articles in the car from water is eliminated. VEven when f some ice is used, the water is retained in the cases. The handling of the milk in the loading and unloading of the cars is not so disagreeable -because the presence of wat-er is elimina ed and weight ol ice is also eliminated. v

Another big item of cost and trouble is eliminated by reason of the fact that the milk does not have to be iced when it is received at the city dairy, can be loaded onto the Wagons Without being given any attention. Due to the fact that there is no ice to melt on the wagons, the wagons are not subjected to Water, and can be kept dry and,

sanitary. Furthermore, since a lot of ice does not have to be hauled around, both Abetween the maintained at subor removed from vthe cases, but the cases load can be carried in a smaller space.

are watertight,so that even where some'ice is producing dairy and the city dairy, and the city dairy and the consumer, the weight of the load can be very materially reduced with a resulting economy in transportation costs. Since .the cases are not 'intended to receive any quantity of ice, they are smaller than present cases and a greater The cases placed in the cases, the water will be retained in the cases.

A container to be used for this purpose, in addition to having high heat insulating properties, must be of such construction that it can be produced at a cost fairly commensurate with the cost of the present type of wooden cases used in the distribution of certified milk, and they must be sufficiently rugged to withstand the abusive handling to which a case of this nature is necessarily subjected. One form of container having these and other advantages is disclosed in the accompanying drawings."

The container is preferably formed with an in- 4ner shell 2 having a cylindrical side wall 3 and a bottom 4. The shell is preferably pressed from a single piece of sheet metal. It hasan outwardly turned annular flange 5 at .its upper edge, part of the flange being pressed upwardly to provide an annular bead 6, a part of it being depressed to form an annular channel 1. The extre'me outer edge of the flange 5 forms a double rolled seam 8 with the upper edge of a cylindrical outer shell 9. A strip I8, of paper or other suitable material, is rolled into this seam to break the metallic contact between the outer shell and the inner shell so as to reduce the conduction of heat from the outer shell to the flange of the inner shell.

The outershell is preferably smooth around its upper part, and is'preferably provided with an annular bead I I below this smooth upper portion. The body of the outer shell is preferably corrugated below the bead I I, but the corrugations are preferably of less height than the'height of the bead. This corrugated portion of the outer shell isdesignated l2.

The outer shell is spaced away from the inner shell and the space between the two is filled with a heat insulating packing, such as animal wool. The space between'the two shells is lled before the bottom I3 is applied to the outer shell. The bottom I3 is preferably formed of heavy sheet metal, as is the outer shell I2, and the bottom I3 is roll seamed to the lower edge of the outer shell I2 at I4,A this seamingof the bottom being effected after the packing has been placed between the two shells. The packing is designated as I5. The

bottom is preferably corrugated or ribbed to pro.-

vide additional strength, and an iron hoop I6 is spot-welded or otherwise secured to the bottom inside the seam I4. This ring protects the rolled seam I4 and gives rigidity to the bottom of the structure. It also elevates the bottom of the structure above the plane of the surface on which the structure is set, as is clearly indicated in Figure2, so as to facilitate nesting of the containers, as hereinafter described, and also protect the bottom against wear when the cases are slid over the floor or over one another.

. Secured to the outer vshell I2 above the bead I I is a hinge I1. Attached to one leaf of the hinge by spot-welding or by any other suitable method. is a lid, designated generally as I8. The lid I8 is preferably formed of two sheets of metal, a lower one I8, and an upper one 20. The lower piece I9 of the lid has a centrally dished portion 20, with upwardly sloping sides 2i. At the top of the dished portion is an annular horizontal flange 22 which fits against the upper member 20,' and rivets passing through this flange and the top, secure the two memners'together. The upper member 20 has a curled periphery 23 that assists in holding the rubber gasket. hereinafter described, in place. The space between the dished portion 20 and the upper member is filled with heat insulating material 24. A paper -gasket 24n breaksthe direct contact between flange 22 and the upper member, thereby affording additional thermal insulation.

Retained on the under side of the lid is an annular gasket 25 which is preferably made of sponge rubber. This gasket is held in place by the curled edge 23 of the upper member and by clamping pieces 26 spot-welded or otherwise secured to the sloping sides 2I of the dished portion of the member I9. These clips or clamping members 2B are placed at intervals around the lid and have horizontal portions 26a for engaging the rubber. This construction is clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4.

When the lid is closed the rubber gasket engages the bead'6 at the top of the inner shell of the structure and is compressed thereagainst to provide a substantially hermetic-seal between the cover and the body of the container. The gasket may also be compressed into the groove 1, to better sea1-the container and allow some of the rubber to be displaced when the lid is forced down. This contact, being non-metallic, is heat insulating. Being airtight, it prevents the circulation of air into and out of the container. This is a valuable sanitary feature, as well as a valuable heat insulating feature in that it excludes dust and dirt from the bottles inside the container. To renew the rubber gasket, it is merely necessary to spread the end portions of the clips 28 and slightly raise the curled edge 23 of the upper member of the lid. The gaskets can be readily renewed when necessary.

Carried on the outside of the lid I8 are one or more straps 21 which have a centrally raised portion 21, as best shown in Figure 5. The raised portion 21a has one or more openings 28 therein. Inserted under the portionl 21a of the strap 21 is one end of a clip 29 which is preferably made of resilient metal. Solder, poured into the openings 28 serves tok detachably hold the clips on the cover. To replace a clip, it is merely necessary to melt out the solder and remove `the old clip. The clips 29 have a downwardly projecting tongue portion 28 in which is an opening 30 for cooperation with a catch member 3l secured to the outside of the outer shell I2. Each catch member is preferably in the form of a ratchet tooth so that the tongue 29 can ride down over the catch when the lid is being shut until the catch springs through the opening 30'. When the catch springs through the opening 30 ,the lid is held closed and can only be opened by springing the tongue 28 the cover and the body of the shipping case. Since the members 29 are apt to become damaged in use, there is considerable advantage in having them easily replaceable'. By reason of the provision of the bead l I, the hinge on the container and the latchlng clips are protected. The containers, when placed side by side, cannot damage one another by reasonof the provision of the bead Il, and when the containers arepushed against a wall thebead H holds the main body of the con.-

tainers out of contact with the wall. This bead also provides considerable reinforcement to the shell of the shipping case.

In order to facilitate nesting of the containers, each of the clips 21 is preferably provided with an upturned integral lug 2lb. A lug 32 is secured to the hinge I1. The lug 32 and the lugs 21b are so positioned that when one container is set on top of another the lugs of the bottom container will engage against lthe inside of the hoop I6 of the upper container and thereby interlock the containers when they are stacked.

This interlocking of the containers is a convenient feature when the containers are loaded into a car or wagon, and is especially so' because of the round shape of the containers. Because of the fact that the containers are round, instead of rectangular, as `are the usual containers for this' purpose, the containers can be set in the milk wagon so as to interlock with one another. That is, if there are three rows of containers across a Wagon extending in a longitudinal direction, the containers inthe middle row can be staggered with reference to those at the sides so that the middle containersr will lock or intert with the side vones and prevent shifting of the containers in the wagon. Since the containers are placed one on top of another, the whole load can be locked in the wagon in this fashion.

Removably placed in each container is a bottle separator of any suitable construction. This separator is designated 34 in Figures 1 and.2 and as shown, is arranged to receive twelve quart size Y bottles'and hold them out of contact with one anothen. but the number of bottles which the separator will, receive can be varied to suit the size of the case, my invention contemplating that a case for pint bottles shall hold `twenty--four pint bottles, v

Secured to the sides of the container above the bead il at diametrically opposite points, are handles te. These handles, which are of the construction that will normally lie down against the side of the container, are protected from damage by the bead il. One of these two Ahandles is preferably secured tothe shell at points each side of. the vertical seam 9a thereof, to further strengthen the outer shells..

While the container is made of metal sufficiently heavy. to withstand the abuse to which an article of this kind is subjected, it is relatively light and its weight compares favorably with the ordinary wooden case used in the shipping of certitled milk. A full case, constructedalong the lines .of the present invention, does not weigh as much as a full wooden case packed with ice. Consequer tiy the invention eifects an economy in transportation costs. The entire construction of the 1 case is such as to secure high thermal insulation to the contents inside the casing and at the same time, provide rigidity of construction which enables it to be handled roughly and successfully employed in the shipping of milk or other commodities. The bead il protects the parte of the container which would otherwise be most liable to injury, and parts which-are apt to become worn or broken, such as the clips 29 or the rubber gasket, can be easily replaced.

The heatinsulating strip in the rolled seam is a highly desirable feature because it breaks `the metal to metal contact between the inner and outer shells of the container. In addition to this the entire case is preferably coated with aluminumpaint. Aluminum paint in addition to its heat reflecting properties, is a quick drying paint which makes its use on an article of this kind highly desirable. The provision of the channel 1 allows the rubber gasket to compress against the bead 6 to forma tight seal between the cover and the bodyof the casing/ The entire construction is such that it can be easily cleaned and kept in repair.

For the customer a heat insulated receptacle is also preferably provided. This receptacle need be of a capacity only sufficient to hold one or two bottles. One suitable form of receptacle is shown in Figure 6. The receptacle comprises an outer shell 36 and an inner shell 31 with a heat insulating packing 38 between the two. Hinged to the top of the receptacle is a cover 39 having a heatv insulating packing 40 therein. The hingefor the cover is provided at Il. The cover may be provided with a latch 42 adapted to enter a lock 43 on the outside of the container when the cover is closed. The lock may be of any preferred construction. By providing a suitable lock; the milk can be placed in a receptacle and the lid closed. The milk then cannot be removed from the receptacle except by releasing the lock 43. The receptacle may have a base M thereon, by means of which it can be screwed or otherwise attached to the floor of a porch, or otherwise fixed to the house of the consumer. By reason of the thermal insulation in the receptacle, the temperature of the milk can be maintained substantially constant, irrespective of the atmospheric temperature. This prevents the milk from spoiling in the summer time and from freezing in the Winter.

While the case embodying the present invention is primarily adapted for the distribution Vof certied milk, it can be used to advantage in the shipping of other commodities, such as frozen fish, frozen fruits, ice cream packing cases and the like.

' I claim:

l. A thermally insulated shipping container comprising an inner shell and an outer shell, .the inner shell having ailange at the top thereof, a thermally insulated rolled seam joint between the flange and the outer shell, heaty insulating material between the inner and outer shells, and a thermally insulated cover for the container.

2. A thermally insulated metallic shipping case comprising a cylindrical inner shell having an integral bottom and sides, a flange at the topV of the inner shell, a cylindrical outer shell, the flange of the inner shell being joined to the top of the outer shell by a thermally insulated rolled seam, a heat insulating material between the two shells, and a separatebottom for the outer shell below the inner shell and secured to the outer said separate bottom providing an arrangement whereby the heat insulating material may be packed between the two shells when the ca'sehas been otherwise completed, and a heat insulating' cover at the top of the receptacle.

3. A thermally insulated metallic shipping case comprising an inner shell having a bottom and sides, a flange at the top of the inner shell, the inner partof which is raised and the outer part of which is depressed to provide an adjacent bead and channel in the said flange, an outer shell having its upper edge joined to the outer edge of said flange by a rolled seam, a bottom for the outer shell, heat insulating material between the inner and outer shells, a cover for the container having a central portion filled with heat insulating material and having a rim por tion', a. compressible rubber gasket on the under side of the rim portion adapted to seat on the bead at the top of the inner shell member, and a catch for holding the cover closed.

4. A thermally insulated shipping case, a cover forming a part thereof and comprised of an upper plate and a lower plate, the lower plate being dished, heat insulating material in the dished portion of the lower plate and confined between the two plates, a curled edge on the upper plate, a gasket surrounding the dished portion of the lower plate retained in place `by the curled edge of the upper plate, and means Secured to the lower plate for engaging the inner edge of' the gasket to further retain it in place.

5. A thermally insulated metallic shipping case comprising an inner shell-having a bottom and sides, a flange at the top of the inner shell, a cylindrical outer shell spaced away from the inner shell, a rolled seam connecting the flange at the inner shell with the outer shell, a cover for the c ase, a bottom plate for the outer shell connected thereto by a rolled seam, heat insulating material between the two shells, a reinforcing hoop on the bottom plate for protecting the rolled seam between the bottom plate and the outer casing, and an annular bead on the outer shell for protecting the rolled seam at the top of the outer shell from damage.

6. A thermally insulated shipping case comprising an inner shell having an outwardly turned flange thereon at its top, an outer shell enclosing the inner one and spaced therefrom, the flange of the inner shell being connected with the top of the outer shell, said flange having a bead portion and a channel portion, a'cover for the container having a compressible gasket,

adapted to seat on the bead portion and be received in the channel portion of the flange, and thermal insulation between the shells.

'7. A thermally insulated metallic shipping case comprising anintegral inner shell having a bottom and side walls and a flange around the top thereof, an outer cylindrical shell spaced away from the inner one and having its upper end joined to the periphery of the flange on the inner shell whereby the space between the outer and inner shells vat the top of the case is closed by the flange and the inner shell suspended in spaced,

relation to the outer shell, said outer shell being longer than the inner shell and having a bottom therein spaced below the bottom of the inner shell, the space between the two shells being iilled4 with thermal insulation, the bottom for the outer shell being separated from the outer shell and lbeing joined thereto, whereby -the thermal insulation may be placed in the space between the two shells and evenly distributed, after which the bottom can be applied, and a hoop secured to the A bottom of the outer shell and projecting below the bottom of the outer shell for protecting the joint between the bottom of the outer shell and the cylindrical portion thereof from damage.

8. A thermally insulated metallic shipping case comprising an inner shell, an outer shell surrounding the inner shell and spaced therefrom, the space between the inner and outer shells at the top of the case being closed, a bottom plate for the outer shell joined to the outer shell by a rolled seam, and a hoop on the bottom of the outer shell inside the rolled seam and projecting below the seam for protecting the seam and reinforcing the bottom.

9. A refrigerator comprising an outer metallic casing, and an inner metallic casing, said casings being arranged in spaced telescopic relation and interlocked in heat insulating relation.

10. A refrigerator comprising a metallic outer casing, a metallic inner casing arranged in spaced telescopic relation within said outer casing, the edges of said casings being rigidly joined, and a layer of heat insulating material interposed between said edges.

11. A refrigerator comprising an outer metallic casing, an inner metallic casing adapted to telescope said outer casing in .spaced relation thereto, the adjacent edges of said casing being rigidly joined in spaced heat insulating relation, and a layer of heat insulating material disposed between said edges to prevent-transmission of heat therebetween.

l2. A refrigerator comprising an outer metallic casing, an inner metallic casing adapted to telescope said outer casing in spaced relation thereto, the adjacent edges of said casings being spirally joined to form a rigidly interlocking container having a separate bottom joined to the outer wall of the container, a thermally insulated cover on the container, and a reinforcing hoop on the bottom of the container, said hoop being located adjacent the seam between said bottom of the container and said outer wall and projecting below said seam to form a protection for the seam and provide a reinforcement for the bottom of the container.

14. A thermally insulated shipping case comprising an inner shell having an outwardly turned flange thereon at its top, an outer shell enclosing the inner one and spaced therefrom, the flange of the inner shell being connected with the top of the outer shell, said flange having a bead portion and a channel, the meeting edges of the flange and the outer shell forming an upstanding lip constituting the outer side of the channel, th'e channel being outside the bead portion, a cover on the case, means for holding the cover down, a compressible gasket between the cover and the flange, and heat insulating material between the shells.

ORLANDO C. BOWES.

v CERTIFICATE or coREcTloN. time No., 2,607,154., v .tui-y 9. 1935.]

' oRLANDo ofsow it is hcrcby certified that error appcars'in tit@ printcti specification of thc above numbcred potent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, second com,

Bine ii, im' "properties" read qualities; sud line 67, claim 2; siter "otitsr'fJ insert tine word siteii; sud `that the said Letters Pstentshousid o@ rood with tites@ corrections therein that the some may conform to the record @t tit@ cas@ in tit@ @stom @Etico v Signed smiscsisd this 26th day oi August, A.' D. i935.

viiissiio iimzcr (Scsi) l Acting Coissioscr @i Patents. 

